The wet-laid process with flax (base) and polypropylene (binder) fibers has been used to obtain nonwovens for further processing by hot-press molding. Mechanical characterization of nonwovens has revealed that slight ...[+]

The wet-laid process with flax (base) and polypropylene (binder) fibers has been used to obtain nonwovens for further processing by hot-press molding. Mechanical characterization of nonwovens has revealed that slight anisotropy is obtained with the wet-laid process as better tensile strength is obtained in the preferential deposition direction. The thermo-bonding process provides good cohesion to nonwovens, which is critical for further handling/shaping by hot-press molding. Flax:PP composites have been processed by stacking eight individual flax:PP nonwoven sheets and applying moderate temperature and pressure. As the amount of binder fiber is relatively low (< 30 wt%) if compared with similar systems processed by extrusion and injection molding, it is possible to obtain eco-friendly composites as the total content on natural fiber (flax) is higher than 70 wt%. Mechanical characterization of hot-pressed flax:PP composites has revealed high dependency of tensile and flexural strength on the total amount of binder fiber as this component is responsible for flax fiber embedment which is a critical parameter to ensure good fibermatrix interaction. Combination of wet-laid techniques with hot-press molding processes is interesting from both technical and environmental points of view as high natural fiber content composites with balanced properties can be obtained. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. (c) 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers[-]

This work is part of the project IPT-310000-2010-037, "ECOTEXCOMP: Research and development of textile structures useful as reinforcement of composite materials with marked ecological character" funded by the "Ministerio ...[+]

This work is part of the project IPT-310000-2010-037, "ECOTEXCOMP: Research and development of textile structures useful as reinforcement of composite materials with marked ecological character" funded by the "Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion," with an aid of 189540.20 euros, within the "Plan Nacional de InvestigacionCientifica, Desarrollo e InnovacionTecnologica 2008-2011" and funded by the European Union through FEDER funds, Technology Fund 2007-2013, Operational Programme on R+D+i for and on behalf of the companies." It is also acknowledged the project "WET-TEX: Implementacion de la tecnologia wet-laid en el desarrollo de nuevos textiles medico-sanitario" with expedient number IMIDIC/2010/137 (total aid of 284400 euro), and the project "WET-TEX II: Implementacion de la tecnologia wet-laid en la investigacion y desarrollo de paneles para aplicaciones tecnicas a partir de residuos procedentes de la industria textil." with expedient number IMDEEA/2011/167 (total aid of 255000 euro) funded by IMPIVA and cofunded (80%) by the European Union through FEDER funds, Valencian Community Operational 2007-2012.[-]